FEATURE | TIE UP

Translated By DeepL

The six explorers chose their own paths and KARHU sneakers.
Walk around with KARHU

The six explorers chose their own paths and KARHU sneakers.

KARHU" is a Finnish sneaker brand that attracts the street with its unique Scandinavian colors and design. This season's collection was worn by six people with different fashion and lifestyle styles. We explore the resonance between KARHU and these diverse individuals, whose brand philosophy is based on the Finnish word "sisu," which means strength of will and tenacity.

Which shoes to choose?

Style01 Kinoshita Takashi A vibrant pair to select for a variety of outfits.

PROFILE

Honor Kinoshita
Store Manager / Buyer, cliché

After working as a store manager and buyer at 1LDK, one of the best select stores in Tokyo, he started working with Shin Matsushima of "cantate" in March of this year to establish the select store "Cliché." was opened. . The company is currently operating an online store in advance. The company plans to open a physical store in Tokyo in the near future, and is currently in the process of preparing for this.
Instagram: @kinopikp

I heard that you recently graduated from "1LDK" and that your next step is to open a select store.

Yes, I am preparing to open an actual store right now. I am planning to make a lineup that is genre-less overall, without thinking of brands as brands . . I want to make unconventional selections.

What kind of store are you aiming for?

I would like to have a lineup of items in my favorite colors and patterns to match the authentic and high quality "Cantata" brand. I would like to approach people of all ages.

What is the point of today's coordination?

The color scheme of the shoes was blue, so I coordinated with that, using navy as the base color, and tried not to use any other colors as much as possible. . However, it was a little sad, so I added an orange turtleneck as an accent. I wanted to make the sneakers stand out, so I chose short-hemmed pants and balanced them out with a large top.

What made you choose FUSION 2.0?

. I knew it would be this blue. . It's an accent, but since the entire piece was a nuanced color, I thought it would be easy to match with various outfits. . Since there are many parts, it is easy to pick out colors. They blend well with a simple top, so I think they will be helpful when you are at a loss for a coordinated look. I used to wear leather shoes all the time, but recently I've been riding my bike more and wear sneakers more often, so these shoes are perfect for my current mood.

KARHU is based on the Finnish word "SISU," which expresses tenacity and strength of will. What does "SISU" mean to you?

My titles at Cliche are store manager and buyer, but I have no intention of leaving the sales staff. I still love to interact with customers, and I want to become a persistent and knowledgeable salesperson. Also, I knew nothing about fabrics, sewing, and other aspects of modeling, so I would like to continue to learn about them.

Style02 Minami Hyakko . well-designed down to the smallest detail.

PROFILE

Minami Hundred
BEAMS Press

After working as store staff at "Pilgrim Surf+Supply" and "BEAMS Shinjuku," he became a press in April 2020 and is currently in charge of several labels. . He is an active person who enjoys skiing and other outdoor activities and bicycling.
Instagram: @minami_dodo

Tell us about today's coordination.

Personally, I have a colorful image of KARHU, so I added bright orange for spring and expressed the KARHU style in the entire outfit.

The "LEGACY" you chose is one-tone, which is rare for KARHU.

The clean colors make it easy to play with. . and the design is sophisticated and lean. But I think the details are stylish, such as the black stitching on the laces and the use of different tones of gray. Above all, they are lightweight and easy to wear. I do a lot of outside work and standing, so it helps to have this much cushioning.

What kind of fashions are you looking for in the spring and summer?

This season's theme for men's casual wear label BEAMS is "SPORTS UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO. We are developing items that update the American casual style with a sports and college taste. Personally, I expect that tight silhouettes will soon become popular as a reaction to the big silhouettes. I am also looking forward to seeing a more balanced coordination, such as a large top and tight pants. These sneakers would be a great addition to such a style.

What do you find most rewarding about your job as a press?

I respond to leases, do interviews, create visuals for productions, etc., and I am happy to see them spreading throughout the world. I feel glad to have done this. I used to work hard, but now I do a lot of work while thinking things through.

Do you have anything that you are strongly committed to doing?

I have been working in the press for three years now, and I have a junior colleague, which is a change from my previous position. I have been on the teaching side, but now I will be on the teaching side, so I want to grow with them with a strong will. Also, I would like to be active in my private life, and I would like to refresh my mind and input my ideas. I want to continue to be enthusiastic and voracious in both my work and private life.

Style03 Kenji Kumaki The color scheme and lightness of the garment adds a flowery touch to the outfit.

PROFILE

Kenji Kumaki
florist

. works as a freelance florist. . She has worked extensively on holding pop-ups at various stores and decorating exhibitions. She is also the owner of the non-store florist store "BROWNSEA. and undertakes a variety of flower-related requests, including bouquet-making and planting.
Instagram: @kuma_ken

What is the point of coordination?

The name of my flower store, "BROWNSEA," has its roots in England. Therefore, I have kept this world view in mind and incorporated checkered patterns and chic colors with an awareness of British and European styles.

What do you find attractive about flowers?

. Fresh flowers have a short life of about 7 days. . I believe that decorating with fresh flowers is a way to cherish that time. Just having beautiful flowers when you spend time with someone is a memory, and the time when the flowers are blooming beautifully does not come back. Once again, I find it fascinating to realize the importance of time. Flowers make anyone happy, don't they? . Since I started this job, I have started to give flowers even on ordinary days.

. When I hear that, I think of "MESTARI" as a flower-like coloring.

The orange of the heels is an accent , and the coloring is exquisite. . I like earth colors and nuance-colored clothes, so I thought it would be easy to match. . And since they are based on running shoes, they are light and easy to move in. Some days I have to be on my feet from early morning stocking up, so the cushioning is a big help.

As one would expect from a florist, you have a unique point of view. What is the axis of your activities?

I belonged to the Boy Scouts from when I can remember until I was a university student, and the spirit I learned there has become my foundation. I have always been very conscious of things such as courtesy and gratitude, and I believe that this attitude is reflected in my work with flowers.

Style04 Wez Atlas Functional beauty that supports your feet on the beat.

PROFILE

Wez Atlas
wrapper

Hip-hop artist with roots in Japan and the U.S. Debuted in May 2019 with the EP "Saturday" and was selected as a cover artist for Spotify's official "Next Up" playlist in 2021 New single in March .(Da Da Da) Day Ones feat. Sagiri Sólreleased.
Instagram: @wezzyatlas

How do you usually write lyrics?

. Sometimes I create at home, and sometimes, like today, I think about it while mumbling while taking a walk. . I often write while listening to beats in different environments. Also, recently I have been making my own beats. It's not quite perfected yet, though.

When you can also make beats, doesn't that change the way you think about production?

Yes, that's right. Eventually, I would like to be able to make beats to my own taste. . Actually, there are many genius beatmakers around me, so I don't really need to make beats by myself. . But I want to understand the logic of production, so I am studying. If I do, I will be able to make better music and direct it better.

New song released(Da Da Da) Day Ones".was produced with a friend of yours from high school.

Yes . We were supposed to meet at the producer VivaOla's house to work on it, but I actually overslept that day, and the beat was already finished when I arrived (laughs). I wrote the lyrics and we decided on the concept of "childhood friends. I think that many of the songs this year will be born out of fun sessions like that.

What kind of shoes do you wear for live performances, by the way?

Simple, easy to move around in , mostly white sneakers. . I would like to wear these at live performances, too. KARHU seems to be worn by international artists as well, and I feel I can give a good performance.

They look great on stage. How do you feel about the comfort of "SYNCHRON CLASSIC"?

. It is comfortable and well cushioned. It looks like you won't get tired even after walking for a long time. The laces run all the way down to the toes, so they also hold up well. This is the first time I have seen this shoelace design. I feel it is a functional beauty.

Wes, as an artist, is there anything that you are persistent about?

As an artist, I have to believe in my own vision, , so it is important for me to stick to my own ideas. The reason I make music is to convey a message of courage. With this in mind, I will continue to write music.

Style05 Kazuya Nakajima Honesty is the best in coloring and customer service.

PROFILE

Kazuya Nakajima
beautician

The salon, which has a store in Minami-Aoyama, is calledRUNO. He is the manager of the salon at Originally a ladies' salon, he proposed a classy men's style that was different from barber styles and bunches, and since then many fashion people have been going there. . He enjoys alpine skiing and soft tennis.
Instagram: @nku_ka

What is the key to today's styling?

I usually wear color-matching outfits with shoes, and today I matched the color of my outerwear with the color of my feet. These sneakers have a voluminous shape, so I chose thicker pants.

FUSION 2.0" is said to be colored "Spray Green/Pale Banana".

I thought the color scheme was pleasant, using nuanced colors in different tones. They are sophisticated and have a fresh, adult-like feel. I have a lot of shoes that don't fit my feet, but these are the right width and don't hurt at all. The sole is well cushioned and the thickness is not obnoxious. I feel like I can casually add to my height (laughs).

Do you have anything that is important to you in your day-to-day work?

People are nervous when they go to a hair salon for the first time. . That's why I try to keep the atmosphere casual. Men come in for a haircut about once a month, which is about the same frequency as seeing a good friend. So, surprisingly, there are people who come to me for advice on things they haven't talked about with their friends. I value that sense of distance.

. I think I now understand the reason for your friendliness. Is there anything that you would like to continue to do with a strong will?

I believe that the results of our daily efforts to provide careful treatment to each and every customer have led us to where we are today. The store as a whole has a policy of valuing each and every day, so I want to persevere in even the smallest things.

Style06 Haruki Ishiguro . the behind-the-scenes support for 365 days of styling.

PROFILE

Haruki Ishiguro
L'ÉCHOPPE Buyer Assistant

He will join BAYCREW'S in 2020, and will be the "reshop. assigned to the "B" department. After working as a sales associate, she became a buyer's assistant. She likes vintage clothes and enjoys mixing and matching them with items from "reshop". . On her days off, she enjoys playing baseball, which she has been doing since her school days.
Instagram: @isgrrrr__

. First of all, what are the key points of coordination?

. "At 'reshop' it's standard to wear a jacket with sneakers, and I'm conscious of the balance of colors and the elegant presentation. I try to blend casualness into the overall look, and today I linked the coloring of the sneakers with the T-shirt.

. You don't tie your shoelaces, do you?

. yes, I do. I wear most of my sneakers loose. I hang them up at home for storage, and when I go to exhibitions, I take my shoes off every time I change, so it's easier not to tie them (laughs).

. The coloring is uniquely Finnish.

Looking at the shoes by themselves, I thought the combination of green and orange was a bit garish, but when I tried them on, they blended easily with the coordination. The impression is completely different when they are worn with or without pants. The other items in the lineup also come in a variety of colors that are easy to match, giving them a "behind-the-scenes" feel. I kind of admire that attitude.

When do you feel fulfilled in your work?

Items that I bought have been in stock since this year's spring/summer season. I was happy to see that items I ordered that I thought were good and that I thought everyone would like were sold out quickly. I am also happy when customers who do not know that I bought an item say, "I want this one.

Do you have anything that you persistently continue to do that you would call "SISU"?

What I have persistently worked on since joining the company is to coordinate different outfits every day. I entered the apparel industry because I love to wear clothes, and I don't like to go to work in the same outfit every day, like a uniform. Since becoming a buyer's assistant, I don't have many opportunities to stand in front of customers, but I want to continue to enjoy fashion in my own way by dressing differently every day.

INFORMATION

KARHU

Official Site
Instagram:@karhu_jp